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About

The First Tee Coaches

Anela Barber

Coach Anela has been playing golf for eight years, and coaching with The First Tee for two years. She played four years of High School Golf at North Mason and Gig Harbor High Schools, where she was a three time team MVP, and captain for two years. She recently completed three years of playing Division III golf at Pacific Lutheran University.

Coach Anela’s favorite core value is perseverance. “The game of golf is not too kind at times and it takes an extreme amount of perseverance to see past the negative sometimes. This is applicable in all aspects of life. Its always darkest before the dawn” she said. Anela can be found coaching at Chambers Bay Golf Course and at various Boys & Girls Clubs in the South Puget Sound.

When not golfing, Anela enjoys hiking and doing anything outdoors related. She is an avid knitter in the winter and enjoys singing in her car.

Kyle BuchbergerFirst Tee Level I Coach

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Kyle Buchberger

Coach Kyle has been playing golf for 15 years, including three years of High School Varsity Golf, and coaching for two years. He is a Level 1 Certified Coach with The First Tee. Outside of golf, Coach Kyle enjoys hiking and hunting.

Jorge DiazPGA Professional

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Jorge Diaz

Jorge brings his southwest style and hospitality to the Pacific Northwest from the West Texas town of El Paso. He is a graduate of the Professional Golf Management Program at New Mexico State University. Jorge was elected as a Class A Golf Professional in November 2014, and began his career as the Assistant Golf Professional at Butterfield Trail Golf Club, in El Paso, Texas, another KemperSports Management facility.

Jorge shows his passion for growing the game at the beginning. His two biggest focuses are Get Golf Ready adult beginner golf clinics and junior golf classes.

Koll FarmanKoll FarmanPGA Professional

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Koll Farman

Coach Koll has been playing golf for 36 years and teaching for the past 25 years. He played golf at Enumclaw High School and Lower Columbia College. Coach Koll joins The First Tee as a PGA Professional and can be found coaching at Chambers Bay Golf Course.

His favorite Core Value is Integrity, because he believes “this will assist kids in their lives well into the future.” His favorite part about Coaching for The First Tee is “seeing junior golfers learn core values to succeed in life, and if golf is a part of that, then it is even better!”

Outside of golf, Koll enjoys spending time with his wife Miranda and his three kids, TJ, Riley and Zayne.

Shane HendersonFirst Tee Level II CoachPGA Professional

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Shane Henderson

Coach Shane began playing golf at the age of 10 with his dad. He fell in love with the game immediately because of the challenge and the attention to detail that it demands. After playing golf at Enumclaw High School, he decided to pursue his passion for golf and attended the Professional Golf Management program at Walla Walla Community College. Upon graduating, he worked at Washington National Golf Club, the home golf course for the University of Washington. Coach Shane is currently the Head Golf Pro at Madrona Links Golf Course and is entering his 6th season as Head Coach for Gig Harbor High School Girls Golf.

Coach Shane has been with The First Tee for 4 years and is a Level 2 Certified Coach. He has a passion for coaching all ages and skill levels. When he is not coaching or golfing, Coach Shane enjoys football (Go Hawks!), basketball, crossfit, hiking and eating. His favorite foods are Mongolian Grill, Pizza and Tacos.

Ann JohnsonFirst Tee Level I Coach

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Ann Johnson

Coach Ann has been playing golf since she was 10 years old and has been coaching for the past 4 years. She grew up playing golf and was an Illinois High School Golf State Champion in 1975. She went on to play at Michigan State University from 1976-1980. Coach Ann has qualified and participated in the USGA Junior, Amateur and Senior Women’s Golf Tournaments.

In addition to Coaching golf for The First Tee at Chambers Bay, Coach Ann volunteers at American Lake Veterans Golf Course as an instructor for the Veterans.

Her favorite Core Value is Perseverance, because she thinks that “kids can learn through golf that not giving up when it gets hard yields lasting results.” Her favorite thing about Coaching for The First Tee is “to see the kids hit a shot well and the smile their success brings to them.” She loves that golf is a lifetime sport and can be played by all ages.

A lifetime golfer & student of the game, Joseph has been a golf professional since 2004 and has been with Meadow Park Golf Course as an instructor since 2005.

Jacob LippoldPGA Professional

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Jacob Lippold

Coach Jacob has been playing golf for twenty years, including playing Varsity golf in High School where he made two appearances in districts and one appearance in State. He has been coaching golf at the junior level (including coaching multiple high schools golfers to the State Tournament) for over eight years.

Coach Jacob has been coaching for The First Tee for four years and can be found teaching at Chambers Bay. His favorite core value is integrity “as there is are many parallels in golf and life. Integrity is valuable throughout life for personal honesty, therefore requires each one of us as an individual to be personally responsible for our own actions.”

His favorite part about coaching for The First Tee is the opportunity to develop positive relationships with students over time and seeing the participants enjoying participating. He loves developing relationships.

Matt Montecucco

A graduate of the University of Idaho, Coach Matt’s love of teaching was ignited during his first internship at Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medora, ND. Matt discovered the enjoyment of working one on one with a student, seeing the light bulb go on, and watching them execute the lesson and improve. He likes to utilize visual aids because they assist his students to actually see their problem spots. He tries to break the game down to its smallest components so that the student can easily grasp the concept and implement it.

At Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane he was able to hone his skills under the tutelage of PGA Pro Gary Lindeblad and Kathy Jensen, 2014 PGA national teacher of the year. Here he was able to work with the Lewis and Clark High School Boy’s Golf Team and various club members. Coach Matt is eager to assist players at each skill level, hoping that they can love the game as much as he does. Matt’s motto: “There is nothing greater that seeing the joy and excitement of a student hitting a shot and knowing that they can do it”

Coach Matt has been with The First Tee for one year and can be found at Lake Spanaway Golf Course.

Steve O’BrienFirst Tee Level I CoachBoard of Directors

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Steve O’Brien

Coach Steve first began playing golf with his father, and has been playing for over 50 years. He played High School golf at Bellarmine Prep High School. Coach Steve has been coaching with The First Tee for 3 years, and is a Level I Coach. In addition to coaching, he also serves on The First Tee Board of Directors.

His favorite Core Value is Integrity, because “each time you golf, your integrity will be challenged.” His favorite part about coaching with The First Tee is “seeing the shine in a kids eye as he/she hits a great shot.”

Coach Steve has also served as a WSGA Rules Official. Outside of golf, Coach Steve enjoys boating, skiing and traveling.

Russ OlsenFirst Tee Level II Coach

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Russ Olsen

Coach Russ has played golf for 28 years including Division II College Golf at St. Martin’s University. He has been coaching for more than 10 years and is currently the Operations Supervisor at Tumwater Valley Golf Club. He is a Level II Certified Coach with The First Tee and also serves on The First Tee Board of Directors. Coach Russ is also Titleist Performance Institute Certified. He can be found Coaching at Tumwater Valley Golf Club

When he is not golfing, Coach Russ enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fly fishing and camping.

Tony RobydekFirst Tee Level I CoachPGA Professional

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Tony Robydek

Coach Tony has been playing golf for 45 years and teaching for over 25 years. He has taught many players, ranging from beginners to PGA Tour Players. Notable players Tony has taught include Kyle Stanley (PGA Tour), Andrew Yun (Web.com Tour), Kristen Rue (PAC 10 All American), and Derek Barron (PGA Tour). Coach Tony played at Curtis HS and went on to play at Tacoma Community College where he helped his team win the NWAC Championship. His current playing achievements include being a 4 Time Hudson Cup Team Member, 3 Time qualifier for the PGA Professional Championshi, Lilac City Open -Winner and The Budweiser Open- Winner.

He has been coaching with The First Tee for one year and can be found teaching at Meadow Park Golf Course as well as at various Boys & Girls Clubs and Outreach Events. His favorite Core Value is Perseverance because “golf is hard and it takes a lot of effort and perseverance to become good”. His favorite part about coaching for The First Tee is seeing all of the smiles on the kids faces each and every class.

Outside of teaching and playing golf, Tony spends his free time raising his two kids.

Frank SunseriFirst Tee Level I Coach

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Frank Sunseri

Coach Frank has been playing golf for 30 years and has been involved with The First Tee as a coach for the past two years. Frank has been involved with coaching youth for about 35 years. He has coached alpine skiing, softball, football and many amazing Special Olympics participants. Coach Frank is a First Tee Level I Coach and can be found coaching at North Shore, Meadow Park, Gold Mountain & Chambers Bay. He is also very active with The First Tee Outreach programs at various schools and community locations.

His favorite Core Value is Perseverance because it “speaks to the nature of the game.” It teaches kids to never stop and always, always, always learn something! He loves coaching for The First Tee because he is able to “work with participants to improve their golf skills while further developing their interpersonal skills.”

Coach Frank enjoys traveling and playing golf when he is not coaching for The First Tee.

Ben TalbotFirst Tee Level I CoachPGA Apprentice

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Ben Talbot

Coach Ben Talbot has been with The First Tee of South Puget Sound for three years and is Level 1 Trained. He has been playing golf for 19 years and coaching for the past three. While in High School Ben was a two time State Tournament Participant. His favorite core value is “Perseverance because using this value can get you through the smallest things in life and the biggest things in life no matter what the obstacle. There are no successful people who have not had major obstacles in front of them and tackled them head on.”

Coach Ben’s favorite part of coaching at The First Tee is “being able to interact with a wide range of ages and skill levels and seeing these individuals grow as not only golfers, but people.” He can be found coaching at Tumwater Valley.

Outside of playing and coaching golf, Ben’s hobbies include baseball, which he played in college!

Shaun Templeton

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Shaun Templeton

Coach Shaun has been playing golf for the past twenty years, competing both as an amateur and a professional. He also has ten years of coaching and teaching experience. His education includes a degree in Professional Golf Management and was awarded MVP Graduating Class of 2011 from the Professional Golfers Career College. Currently he is the Store Manager of Puetz Golf Tacoma.

Dave TisonFirst Tee Level II Coach

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Dave Tison

Coach Dave started off as a volunteer with The First Tee of South Puget Sound in 2012. Shortly thereafter he became a coach and has been with The First Tee ever since. He has been playing golf for 18 years and is also an Assistant Coach for the Annie Wright School Golf Team. His favorite core value is Perseverance, because it is important to “work toward goals with perseverance to achieve them!”

You can find Coach Dave coaching at just about any of our locations including Madrona Links, Chambers Bay, Meadow Park, Tacoma Firs Golf Center and Eagles Pride. Coach Dave is a former doctor at MultiCare and outside of golf he enjoys spending time with his family, grandkids and dogs.

Sam WilkinsonFirst Tee Level I Coach

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Sam Wilkinson

Coach Sam has been coaching with The First Tee for the past three years and has been playing golf for twelve years.

When he is not coaching with The First Tee, Coach Sam enjoys volunteering with his church, camping and traveling.

Ryan YoungFirst Tee Level II CoachPGA Professional

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Ryan Young

Ryan grew up in Mill Creek, WA beginning his golf career at age ten. He had a successful collegiate career playing golf for Whitworth University. There he won multiple events, including his conference championship in 2010 which earned him the NWC Player of the Year title and a berth to the NCAA National Championship. He turned pro in 2012 and is now one of the top players in the PNW Section.

Since turning professional, Ryan quickly became a prominent instructor in Western Washington. Voted by his peers, he won the 2014 WWC Player Development Award and the 2015 WWC Assistant Golf Professional of the Year. In 2016, he received his PGA Certification in Teaching & Coaching and was the recipient of the PNW Section Player Development Award.

Ryan has been coaching with The First Tee for two years, and recently became a Level II Certified Coach. His favorite core value is Integrity because he believes “juniors will become great individuals if they can hold themselves accountable and act responsible no matter the situation.” Ryan coaches with The First Tee at Chambers Bay Golf Course.

The First Tee’s Reach

Our chapter is one of many in The First Tee network. The First Tee is reaching young people in all 50 states and select international locations on golf courses, in elementary schools and through other youth-serving organizations.